A couple's adventures with beer.

Homefield Brewing – Sturbridge, MA

As we turned onto the road that would lead us to Rapscallion Brewery, we passed a sign for Homefield Brewing. Admittedly, we were not sure if it was a brewery or brewing supply store, so once we settled in with our flights at Rapscallion, we Googled for confirmation. Right off of Route 20 in Sturbridge (or is it Fiskdale?!), Mass., Homefield Brewing is located in the bottom level of an antique store with plenty of parking. Just follow the “craft beer” signs!

When you walk into the brewery, you feel as if you are walking into a quaint New England basement. The exposed stone walls along with the huge wood beams offers a warm, cozy vibe. The mismatched furniture gives the brewery a friendly, almost homey feel, and the staff are warm and welcoming. Homefield has a large bar that divides the brewing space from the tap room. If you cannot grab a spot at the bar, there are also several tables and a standing bar in the room. The brewery has live, local music every weekend, so there is a dedicated space for the musicians in one corner of the tap room.

Homefield’s motto is “Farm-to-Glass,” and all of their small batch experimental beers are made with local ingredients. On the Saturday afternoon we visited, Homefield was offering four of their brews, so we ordered a 4 sampler flight for just $10. It made the most sense to start off with Carpe Diem (5% ABV) as the menu told us to “seize this beer!” This cloudy brew was a light and flavorful American IPA. It was citrusy in taste with a dry, toasted finish. Then we tried Sense of Wonder (8% ABV), which was a citrusy Hefeweizen that tasted like an IPA. It had a clean, smooth finish with a cloudy golden color. Homefield’s Transcendence (5% ABV) was a New England IPA. It was juicy and citrusy with a slightly hoppy finish. Finally, we finished our flight by trying Evening Sky (7% ABV). This brown ale was very malty with great roasted notes.

You can purchase 8 or 12 ounce-pours or get it in a 32-ounce “jug to go!” In addition to their own beers, Homefield also has a rotating list of “beer from friends” that you can by in 8, 12, or 16-ounce pours. They also serve local wines, ciders, kombucha, and natural sodas. They literally have something for everyone! In addition to all of these delicious beverages, Homefield serves locally sourced cured meats, cheeses, breads, and pickled vegetables. If you cannot make up your mind, let them surprise you for just $20. All of these snacks pair nicely with their beers. They also have rotating specials like soups and sandwiches.

She said: “The homey feel of the space along with the small batch beers made me feel as if I was hanging out in a friend’s basement. My favorite from Homefield (so far) would be the Sense of Wonder.”

He said: “I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked the beer at Homefield. I am very glad we stopped by, and I look forward to see what else they will come up with.”

With so many delicious beers and snacks to choose from, it would be easy to spend an afternoon at Homefield Brewing. Plan your trip to Sturbridge (or Fisdake…whatever) to check out this hidden gem, and be sure to check out their Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. Cheers!